Two knowledgeable executives have been appointed by Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust to support the organisation in its purpose to provide effective and high quality healthcare services to the local community.

Derbyshire Healthcare has appointed Dr Julia Tabreham, the former chief executive of the Carers Federation, and Margaret Gildea, who is currently a board member for Derwent Living, as non-executive directors. Both appointments have been confirmed by the Trust’s Council of Governors.

Both Julia and Margaret will hold vital roles within the Trust where they will be responsible for bringing an independent perspective and leadership to the boardroom, ensuring that the Trust is governed properly – that it complies with regulations, achieves business strategies and that patient interests are fully represented.

South Derbyshire resident Julia commenced in her new post on 6 September 2016. She moved into the voluntary sector from banking in 1992 to establish the Carers Federation, where she was chief executive until earlier this year when she retired. As part of this role Julia delivered NHS advocacy services in the patient and public involvement agenda. In addition to her role with the Carers Federation, she has been a non-executive director in the NHS since 2000 and has a PhD in offender health.

Margaret, from Melbourne, also started in post on 6 September 2016 and will bring a significant level of experience to the boardroom in terms of employee engagement and culture change. Margaret is a practiced HR professional with 30 years’ experience in increasingly senior roles at Rolls-Royce, culminating in being the company director of learning and development and divisional executive vice president of HR. Since 2009 Margaret has run a HR consultancy business, specialising in areas such as strategy development, leadership and organisation design. She has coupled this with other Board appointments and is currently a non-executive director for Derwent Living.

Welcoming the appointments, Derbyshire Healthcare’s interim chairman Richard Gregory said: “I am delighted to announce the appointments of Julia Tabreham and Margaret Gildea as non-executive directors. They are two highly skilled local professionals who will be positive additions to the Trust Board and play an invaluable role in our future. I have no doubt that Julia and Margaret’s skills and experiences will help to strengthen the Board in its aim to continue developing safe, high quality and sustainable services.”

Julia Tabreham and Margaret Gildea will replace former Non-Executive Directors Tony Smith and Phil Harris who left the Trust earlier this year.